Vinyl fences come in a variety of attractive types and are easier to maintain than traditional wooden fences. They are made from strong, recyclable plastics. High quality vinyl fencing can usually withstand weather extremes and have ultraviolet inhibitors that keep them safe from sun damage.

One of the popular types of vinyl fencing is the vinyl privacy fence, useful for providing much-need privacy around the property. It is also often used around a swimming pool. A vinyl privacy fence has tightly interlocked tongue and groove pickets that provide a solid barrier from prying eyes.

Vinyl privacy fences are usually four to six feet (1.22 to 1.83 m) in height and come in panels that can be eight feet (2.44 m) wide. They can be purchased in a range of colors and designs, including include crisscross, horizontal, vertical and woven lattice patterns at the top ends of the fences.

Other designs include a realistic wood grain effect, a stone texture effect and a granite texture effect. Different companies make different designs and accents. They usually have different names for these. Semi-privacy vinyl fences have spaced apart pickets that are placed either in a horizontal or wavy pattern over each other. Unlike with the privacy fences, it is possible to look in or out through these fences, which may also have lattices on top.

Shadowbox vinyl fences are around six feet (1.83 m) in height. Like the privacy and semi-privacy fences, they offer a measure of privacy. This type of fence is more open than the two, and looks better from both sides.

Another popular type of fence are the vinyl picket fences that offer a traditional look for defining boundaries. They are smaller in height then the privacy and semi-privacy fences, with a maximum height of about four feet (1.22 m). These fences are only meant to line the property and to keep in children and pets.

A chain link vinyl fence is another type of fencing meant to demarcate property boundaries rather than offer privacy. This vinyl fence is a good fence choice for gardens and may also be used to cordon off certain areas of the property. It is possible to customize vinyl fences to a particular requirement by using different picket sizes as well as different colors. Using decorative post caps on the vinyl fence posts and suitable vinyl gates can also add to the overall look. The vinyl fence post can be of regular or recycled PVC.

Check if the vinyl fences have stainless steel fasteners, screws and inserts, as these will make for stronger fences. When purchasing vinyl fence supplies, it is important to buy quality products from a reputed manufacturer. A reputed vinyl fence manufacturer will offer a product guarantee. Many fences come with a 20 years to lifetime guarantee. This will cover any environmental damage to the vinyl fences.